Welcome to Garden Daddy. The discussions here will be about gardening in Jackson, TN & gardening in the Mid South. I live in the historic district and own a c.1910 Arts & Crafts 1-1/2 story home. I enjoy both flower & vegetable gardening and completed the educational requirements to become an intern in the University of Tennessee Master Gardener program. I hope to hear from anyone who enjoys digging in the dirt, seeking gardening tips and sharing general gardening information.

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Get your garden questions answered and offer suggestions other than regular posting comments. If you want more personal contact or you have more in depth gardening questions and need answers, let Garden Daddy send you on your "Happy Garden Way" by offering you my comments.
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gardendaddy@gmail.com

Sunday, April 4, 2010

THE ADDITION OF COW MANURE TO THE VEGGIE PATCH THIS EASTER MORNING

HELLO & welcome to Garden Daddy here at the urban farm! It was 48-degrees this beautiful Easter morning at 6:50am but this Garden Daddy was out in the veggie patch adding some cow manure and watching this beautiful sunrise reach up and announce itself. A neighbor & friend behind me must really be listening when I talk because one day I casually mentioned I wanted to go to a co-workers house that was really pretty far away, about an hour, to go get some cow manure for the garden but it had been too wet to get into his barn to get it yet. In a day or two, I had 2-100# feed corn bags filled with what looks like sifted and very-very clean cow manure! Then in a day or two later there was another bag...it was like Christmas for this Garden Daddy. Better than any store bought gift for sure and better than any chemical fertilizers. I have not had time until this morning to get it added into the vegetable patch due to the work on the new chicken coop. But it sure is going to be a boost to the growth and production of this urban farms' produce here in center city Jackson, Tennessee.

Speaking of chickens, this Garden Daddy has been consumed this past week with prepping this urban farm for the arrival of the first 9-baby chicks on Wednesday this next week. Then the following week I get 2-more on April 14th then on April 21st I will get the final 3-pullets, the Silver Laced Wyandott chicks. I did mention that these are ALL PULLETS, as you cannot have roosters (Roos) in the city due to the "noise violation". But the coop is on schedule and I should have it finished today and then start the run either late today or tomorrow after my stint at my "big-box" home improvement store.

A longtime friend has been here since this past Thursday and as of yesterday we finally were able to get outside and get the coop started and about two-thirds complete. All we lack today is the roof and doors. I already had the floor assembled and the base prepared and ready and any thing else pre-assembled as I could. But I was to the point it was going to take two people to finish and he has been a real trooper in his assistance! THANK YOU!

So I will leave you this marvelous Easter Sunday with the following thoughts this morning: "A morning surprise, an earthquake, a stone rolled away, "men" robed in white, women caught off guard, men's heads hanging low with fear and grief. ...JOY, WORSHIP, SURRENDER, RECEIVING ORDERS, DISCIPLESHIP!"...Garden Daddy

R & J FEED SUPPLY

WEST TENNESSEE POULTRY CLUB

JACKSON COMMUNITY GARDENS INFORMATION

For more information on the community garden plots here in Jackson, TN., go to the community garden site associated with the First United Methodist Church. Here you can download and print your application, garden contract agreement (agreement to keep your plot weed free, clean, etc.), view plot locations and general information.
www.jacksonfumc.org/how-to-serve/communitygardens.php

MAKE YOUR OWN SEED PACKET FOR SAVING YOUR SEEDS OR SHARING WITH FRIENDS

CHECK YOUR LOCAL WEATHER

HOLY BANANA BLOOMS BATMAN

I can tell it is the beginning of the end of this growing season when I start getting banana blooms, then baby bananas. These blooms are very strong scented and the bees will be surrounding this HUGE pod when it gets larger. It will continue to grow until it almost touches the ground - it is already about 18" long and that is just the pod. I will have to stake this plant up or it will break off at ground level soon.

COMPOST CORRAL

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MY AMISH FARMING HAT

This is the best straw hat in the world for gardening. The wide brim and high top make it cooler than most and very shady on the face. If anyone is interested in obtaining one I have a source and can get them for $18.00/each (I just have to go pick up).

University of Tennessee Research & Education Center

CITY CHICKENS

THE GARDEN HOME

My tool shed or as I call it my "Garden Home". I enjoy having the hummers fly by to the feeder close by and they often stop right in my face like they are saying, "THANKS" for dinner!

My Garden

This is a view of the main vegetable garden & you can see how the tomato plants are taller than the temp fencing I have erected.

TOMATOES

You can see the size of these tomato plants. I put up temporary fencing to tie up the plants. On the bottom-right you can see the pea patch with its 'crop-circle' holes I believe the raccoons did.

SQUASH PATCH

In attempting to use every inch of space, I planted my squash patch on the OUTSIDE of my side fence on the drive. My neighbors are amazed at the size, abundance and endurance of these HUGE beauties.

KEY WEST BUNGALO?

In my attempt to capture the tropical feel I always have some bananas, cannas & elephant ear plants on the side of the sunroom. Oh well, I threw in a few 'Knockout roses" for some added color.

GIANT DAHLIA

This dahlia reaches over 8ft in height. The flowers are around 6-7" across & the reddish-orange color is stunning.

A ROYAL BEAUTY

I planted sunflowers for the first time this year. They all did not germinate but the ones that did are very nice. I especially enjoy this burgandy/deep yellow tipped variety. Some of the sunflowers have already reached almost 10ft.

A BEAUTIFUL ADDITION

I call this daylilly my "Ms. Anita", after the neighbor who gave it to me. Anita Stamper is a published, known garden author and we have shared several garden tips & plants over the years. This variety has shown its ability for sustaining a long blooming season this year & the flowers are often up to 9" across.

CORN & BANANAS & TOMATOES

Making use of all available space was in this idea to plant some donated corn seed in with day lilies, bananas, lavender AND tomatoes. I will not get but about 6-8 ears but hey, the price for free corn on the cob will be worth it, right?

WOW - What a hydrangea!

This "Limelight" hydrangea is a true showstopper in my front flower beads. It seems the more sun the better on this variety. Starts out lime green then eggshell white then spotted with soft rose tones.

About Me

I am 58 yrs old & work part time at a big box home improvement store. In Sept. 2006, I bought a c.1920 Arts & Crafts house in Jackson, TN. I saw this house & yard that needed the love and attention of someone who could see past the issues & fill that void. In 3-1/2 years I have turned a desolated, overgrown yard into one that has won yard of the month three times in that time as well as having been asked to be profiled in my local newspaper for the improvements & curb appeal. I enjoy visiting daily with my neighbors, both asking and advising on gardening questions. My most recent outside project has been the building of a 3-bay compost bin to start creating my own compost. I have an 11-yr old Silky Terrier named "Max" who is my daily companion and friend. He is a pound rescue that has given many years of happiness.
I adore Christmas time and over decorate everything, with a tree in every room including a 9ft in the bathroom.
The best project I was ever involved with in my life was my wonderful daughter, Melissa, age 30, who gives me joy daily and of whom I am very proud.